UNDPilot

I disagree. My previous airline had Crewtrac as well and constantly had problems. Yes it looked nice and was fine when it worked. Catcrew doesnt look pretty but it is powerful gets the job done.

pilotlbs

That doesn't mean it needs to stay. Let's catch up with the times here. I've used Crewtrac (not very impressed), but out of the 4 other programs I've had experience with, CATCREW is probably the worst. Not to mention having to pay to use it from outside of a company computer? That's just dumb. I'm no expert in this stuff, I completely agree that the PBS program and language is much more important right now. But maybe after that we can oust this program and find something more up to date and user friendly. Does anyone know what DL/UA/SW/JB uses and if they're happy with it?

flybywire44

I believe the CAL side of UAL management used Catcrew for tracking crew schedules.

That may have change by now though.

EMBFlyer

Continental has always used CMS (Crew Management System). The pilot interface is CCS (Crew Communications System). EDS used to service it, I'm not sure if it moved in-house or not. I'm not sure what a United used, but I think everyone is on CCS now. We used it at XJT for years. It was a great system.

CanoePilot

It's 2013 almost 2014 and you're telling me there isn't something better than a piece of software made in the 80s? It wouldn't be so bad if you could access it from anywhere without paying for it or jumping through hoops. Can't they use a web based gui overlay on it so art least it's point and click?

Jetdriver7

Aa uses decs. Having come from eagle I never realized how good it was. I hate catcrew. Aa has apps for their non rev travel planner and sabre for your phone and it's all free. Probably takes a little more learning but a ton of information available.

bikingflyer

people need to go talk to Expressjet or Skywest! they use PBS and their Sked+ works awesome and its free....food for thought for the guys who will be negotiating this stuff (software)

VenetianFryCook

If I'm not mistaken either the MOU or the AA Green Book specifically states that pilots shall not be charged any sort of monthly access charge for use of company computing systems. So, this is something (the $9.95/month for Catcrew) that should be going away in relatively short order. Rumor from the USAPA Scheduling Committee is that they are getting ready to roll out what is apparently a pretty robust web interface for company applications (including Catcrew) that supposedly will respond to several issues with current methods of access. No details on timeline, etc.

I'm taking no position on Catcrew versus any other system out there. It's going to come down to capability and cost, and no matter what any of us say on the web boards, they'll pick whatever they want and we will all use it. Catcrew may be archaic, but it gets the job done.

pilotlbs

NOT SkyWest PBS. Their PBS sucks to put it nicely. Sked+ is good for sure. I love everything they have except their PBS program. Virgin America has a good PBS system. It allows for almost 200 preferences versus 7 from SkyWest (unless it has changed). As most have said though the language is the most important!

Thanks for the update Venetian. If they modernized CATCREW then it could be a good thing. I just want it to "get the job done" better, easier, and FREE!